Pet Files: Don't risk rabies; vaccinate your pets

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The following news release was recently obtained by veterinarians in the state of Colorado from the Public Health Department:

“For Immediate Release: First cat confirmed to have rabies in Larimer County

The first positive cat reported to have rabies since the health department was established in 1968 has been confirmed in Larimer County. The kitten was born to an unvaccinated barn cat in Fort Collins and was also unvaccinated. During the time the kitten was infectious, it bit a local veterinarian who had examined it for neurological problems. It had also bitten or scratched several family members. The kitten was euthanized and submitted for testing and confirmed to have rabies. Six other cats on the property were euthanized, and livestock cannot be moved from the property for 90 days. Three adults and five children are currently receiving rabies vaccine for their exposure.”

This situation brings into sharp focus the increased risk of rabies transmission to domestic animals and humans in Larimer and Weld counties. Thirty-two animals have been confirmed to have rabies in Larimer County since Jan. 1. This number reflects only animals that have tested because of encounters with pets, people, or livestock; many more have not been tested.

Since May 2012 — when skunks surpassed bats as the most common source of rabies — it has been confirmed in horses (several of which have died in recent months in Colorado — the closest was a horse on the Weld/Larimer County border in June), cows, raccoons, foxes, llamas and bison. The risk of pets, livestock and humans being exposed to rabies increased significantly when skunks became more common carriers than bats, because skunks are ground-dwelling animals.

“Many barn cats are not vaccinated, even though rabies immunizations are required by county ordinance for all cats and dogs,” Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, director of the Health Department, said. “The recent situation clearly demonstrates that leaving barn cats, horses and livestock unvaccinated — especially those in close contact with people — puts family members, friends and animal health professionals at risk of (rabies) infection.”

Rabies is a severe, invariably fatal, viral disease of the neurologic system. The virus enters the body through a wound (usually the bite or scratch of an infected animal) or through mucus membranes such as the nose or mouth. It spreads to the central nervous system, and then to the outer nerves of the body. There are essentially three forms of the disease: prodromal or “dumb” rabies, furious and paralytic. Symptoms may include changes in attitude such as shyness or aggressiveness, nervousness, erratic behavior such as biting or snapping, wandering and roaming, disorientation, incoordination, seizures, paralysis, change in tone of bark, inability to swallow and excessive salivation or frothing at the mouth.

People are advised to stay away from animals that appear sick or behave strangely (such as raccoons or skunks that are active in the daytime or approach humans), and to report such animals to the county animal control. If you suspect that your pet or livestock has had contact with a rabid animal, or if they are showing signs of unusual neurologic or aggressive behavior, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The veterinary community and the health department stress that rabies vaccination is the best way to keep pets, livestock and most importantly, humans, from contracting this fatal illness. Keeping vaccinations up to date is the only way to avoid putting a pet through a long and costly quarantine, or, much worse, euthanasia and testing, if they have an encounter with a possibly rabid animal. If the rabies suspect animal cannot be located or tested, one of the above protocols is required by law.

Debra Singleton is a veterinarian practicing in Greeley. She is a graduate of Colorado State University specializing in the treatment of dogs, cats and exotic animals. Find her at Facebook.com/deb singleton or email her at debsdvm@facebook.com.